The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has
cited Rich Products Corp for fourteen safety and health violations, comprised on eleven serious
and three repeat violations. They come in response to an inspection of a worksite in Brownsville,
TX in July of 2015. This inspection was initiated as part of a programmed-targeted inspection
under the agency’s Process Safety Management Covered Chemical Facilities National Emphasis
Program, which was designed to reduce the release of highly hazardous chemicals. The citations
are for violations relating to annual audiograms, hearing protection and training, ammonia
detectors, fit tests for respirators, ventilation system design, and draining oil pot vessels. These
violations carry proposed penalties of $155,000.
“Process safety management is necessary for preventing or minimizing the consequences of an
unexpected release of toxic, reactive, flammable, or explosive chemicals in the workplace. This
includes liquids and gases in processes involving highly hazardous chemicals such as ammonia,”
said Travis Clark, OSHA’s area director in Corpus Christi. It’s vital that Rich Products ensure
safeguards are in place to protect worker safety and health at this facility.”
If your business is in an area of occupational safety and health which is being targeted this year
for additional inspections due to the complex and dangerous nature of the hazards at your
facility, it is important to ensure your policies and procedures are up to date and comprehensive.
Otherwise, you not only put your employees at risk, but you also run the risk of large fines
should your facility be targeted for an audit.
If you have any questions about this inspection or about updating your occupational safety and
health policies and procedures, please contact us. If you have anything to add about this
inspection or about the importance of updated occupational safety and health policies and
procedures, please leave a comment.
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